Research and Development Associate jobs in Lexington, KY

Research Associate

We’re looking for a Research Associate who is excited to be part of a mission driven early-stage company. This person will be responsible for cloning, vector design, plant gene expression assays, plant genotyping and plant tissue culture. Our ideal candidate is excited about working with plants and has some experience with molecular biology techniques. Experience with plants, plant tissue culture, or molecular biology is a huge plus. The candidate will work under the supervision of a team of molecular biologists but must be individually motivated. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the company’s strategic goals and think creatively about how to move quickly and solve problems.

Key responsibilities

• Plant tissue culture techniques.
  • Tissue culture propagation: cultivating plant cells, tissues, or organs in aseptic conditions to regenerate whole plants.
  • Subculturing: Regularly transferring plant tissues to fresh media to maintain their growth.
• Routine molecular biology experiments including vector design and construction, cloning, PCR, DNA extractions, genotyping, etc.
• Assist in plant genetic modification and developing transient assays.
• Assist in maintaining plant growth rooms.
• Perform literature reviews and incorporate innovative research strategies.

• Independently develop SOPs, research protocols, and research methods.
• General laboratory duties such as preparing media and reagents.
• Collaboration and teamwork with other scientists and technicians.

Education and Experience

Required

• B.S in plant biology or a related field. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with standard molecular biology techniques including PCR and cloning.
• Experience with gene editing tools such as CRISPR and TALENs are a plus.
• Experience in plant tissue culture and transformation is preferred.
• Experience in performing general laboratory duties such as preparing media, buffers, etc.
• Familiarity with DNA design and analysis software is preferred.
• Familiarity with MS Office software
• Strong organizational skills
• Detail oriented, organized, prioritization skills, and motivated by accomplishment.
• Must be able to work independently and can work in a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment.